President Donald Trump speaks to the press about the new East Wing next to the construction site at the White House on May 19.
An appeals court will hear arguments today about why the project should be allowed to proceed. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments Friday about whether the President Donald Trump administration has the authority to build a White House ballroom without approval from Congress.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit agreed to allow construction to continue until it rules on whether the project can continue.
"The Ballroom is on time, under budget, and free to the American taxpayer, while benefiting future Presidents by serving as a 'safe haven' from attackers such as the two recent would-be assassins," the Justice Department wrote in court filings. The two "would-be assassins" mentioned are the alleged shooter at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the man who fired a gun outside the White House perimeter.
